hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən 

: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following this, catalytic hydrotreating was to eliminate unwanted elements (nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur), leaving behind pure hydrocarbons. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025

African leaders insisted during the Biden years that the continent must be allowed to tap its hydrocarbon resources for economic development. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Hydrogen cyanide is formed in Titan's atmosphere via reactions with ultraviolet light from the sun, which breaks down hydrocarbons and reforms them as other molecules. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025

The Cultural Terrace bid, awarded March 26, 2024, had 29 cubic yards of hydrocarbon contaminated soil for excavation and disposal, according to the city’s bid documents. —Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrocarbon

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
• polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

Rhymes for hydrocarbon

• fluorocarbon
• carbon

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən 

: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən 

: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens